The vessel, carrying 50-tonnes of salmon, began taking on water at the middle wharf of the port around 3.30 this morning, Fire & Rescue NSW said.

The boat was found partially submerged.

Firefighters worked with the owner to secure the trawler but it was taking on too much water and sank.

The fire crews then worked with NSW Water Police to deploy 100-metres of absorbent booms around the boat, to prevent the spread of fuel.

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A plan to salvage the boat is being formed.

No injuries were reported.

Fire & Rescue NSW Inspector for the Monaro region Craig Mashman said the vessel was sitting on the bottom but attached to a lashing line.

"We're hoping to refloat the vessel. We have salvage experts being flown in from Sydney this afternoon," Inspector Mashman said.

There are concerns about the 5000 litres of diesel on board the trawler and the 200 litres of oil and two levels of environmental booms have been deployed around the site to contain spills.

The inner white boom is absorbent and will soak up oil that floats to the surface while the larger orange boom helps to contain it, Mr Mashman explained.

"Our guys did a fantastic job this morning securing everything they could," he said.

However Mr Mashman said there is "a small leak from one of the air vents in the fuel tank".

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